Reciprocating liquid pump



May 24, 1938. H E, Rupp RECIPROCATING LIQUID PUMP Filed NOV. 20, 1936 Patented May 24, 193s UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE Gorman-Rupp corporation of Ohio Company, Mansiield, Ohio, a

Application November 20, 1936, Serial No. 111,910

13 Claims. (Cl. 103-203) This invention relates to liquid pumps and more particularly to pumps of the reciprocating type, havingreference to improvements inthat class of such devices, commonly known as pressure and suction pumps, wherein one or more plungers actuated by a drive transmission are operable on water with a high pressure head or force.

One of the objects of the invention is to pro vide a pump in which the crankshaft or other means of translating rotary motion into reciprocatory motion is superimposed over the plunger or water end of the structure and-a lubricating system is incorporated therein whereby the motion changing mechanism operates partially submerged in the lubricant and the entire working mechanism is automatically and thoroughly lubricated.

Another object is to provide means in the structural organization of thev pump for constantly and without any manual attention relieving the same of any air or gas that may enter thereinto and so eliminate the possibility of any air accumulation or counter-pressure generation which might impair its effective operation.

A further object is to provide for the pump air chamber to be replenished continually with air, which is more or less subject to absorption in all liquids under pumping action and is of course necessary in the regular and proper operation of all pumps of the kind.

Other objects together with some of the particular advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description with reference to the attached drawing, wherein one practicable embodiment of the same is illustrated in the somewhat conventional character of a pump intended for heavy duty use.

In said drawing:

The single figure is a vertical or longitudinal l section representation of the pump as viewed from one side, a portion thereof, seen in el'vation, being broken away fragmentarily to reveal a part enclosed thereby.

Broadly the, invention consists of aclosed crankshaft mounting on or over a plunger cylinder opening downwardly into a valve-controlled waterlpassage having an offset air chamber or space` the crankshaft being connected with the plunger through a sealed bottom portion of its casing and having a crank-arm guide or piston member working in said bottom portion so as to force lubricant upwardly through a take-off side wall conduit into jet discharge upon the crank throw and bearing and back into the casing described have been produced and proposed. But

body proper, and the plunger opening into the water passage having a. valve-controlled air-release vent connection with, or opening into, the air chamber or space.

In the illustrative construction the pumping chamber is formed in fa lower casing l, having an inlet passage 2 and a discharge passage 3, which latter are shown in extension from the sides opposite each other at different or stepped levels. The inlet passage is controlled by a valve 4 and the discharge passage is controlled by a valve 5, both of the same being preferably one way selfseating valves. Above each of said valves a plugcap 6 is advantageously fitted into hand-holes provided to afford ready access thereto through the casing walls for cleaning, repair or replacement. Between these two valves and the passages controlled thereby a plunger, or plungers,

, 1 working through the casing top extends downwardly into the central space or pumping chamber 8 formed therebetween. A plug-cap 9 fitted into an entry hole in the bottom of the casing opposite said plunger provides for expedient access thereto for adjustment or replacement, as will be later described, as well as a means of clearing out the pumping chamber space.

This arrangement permits solids which are heavier than the pumped liquid-and which are almost invariably picked up and carried thereby into the pump-to drop -laway from the plunger and more particularly from the packing, later described, therearound so as to keep the same free from the impact and wear and from the scoring which usually results from such solids or other foreign matter entering with the liquid stream, 5 necessitating costly repairs. It also enables the casing and its passages to ybe easily and expeditiously freed of any solid or foreign matter that might become lodged therein, in addition to affording ready access to the several working parts named.

The aforesaid plunger 1 is surrounded by a packing I0 tted into a stuffing-box recess formed in the top of the casing just above the plunger opening thereinto, and this packing is held by a gland-plate I I shown bolted to the casing top. A central counter-bore or channel I2 formed in said plate aroundthe plunger body,being annular in this instance, provides for any water that may leak up past the packing to be retained therewithin and so form an effectual seal against the. admission of air down along the plunger on its suction'stroke. Now various pumps of general construction somewhat similar to that thus far the collection and continuing presence of air around the plunger at the point or regional space of its entry into the pumping chamber, due to the location of said plunger in relation to the discharge valve. This air collection in the top space of the pumping chamber is objectionable, because saidv air compresses on' the discharge stroke and expands on the suction stroke of the plunger,

. thereby setting up a counter force or 'action that seriously aii'e'cts and destroys the pump effectiveness. It has presented a problem of practical operation which the present invention is intended to remove and which it does remove by a very simple expedient.

From the upper space 8* around the plunger an auxiliary passage I3 connects with the air chamber I4, usual to pumps of this type, which latter is in lateral open connection at its bottom with the main discharge passage 3 as by an extension or joint piece 3 thereof. Said auxiliary passage is provided with a check-valve I5 therein, and also with a relief cock I6 intermediate the pumping and air chambers, the check-valve being arranged after the cock or nearest to the air chamber. Associated with said cock is another check-valve II advantageously formed in unit assembly therewith. The purpose of these two check-valves and the cock will be made presently to appear. The aforementioned valve 5 controlling the main and normal discharge passage is made to offer enough resistance to the pumped liquid to cause some of the same to pass through the auxiliary passage I3 with operation of the pump, thereby carrying away from the top of the pumping chamber any air that may collect or tend to accumulate therein and discharge such air into the air chamber. to assure that the iiowof liquid thereinto is so low that the air and water will separate, the air going up to form an effective cushion, and the water passing on into or through the main discharge 3. It will be understood that any discharge taking place through the auxiliary passage I3 will have the same result and produce the same effect regardless of its cause, that is, whether it is caused by the resistance of the valve 5 or by the presence of air in the pumping chamber.

When first starting up the pump, and there being pressure in the discharge line, the cock I8 is opened toallow the air to discharge to the atmosphere so that it cannot be compressed upon the discharge stroke of the plunger and expand again on the suction stroke thereof. Instead, the liquid being pumped will be drawn through the intake valve 4, and such air or gas as is drawn along with it will be subsequently expelled in the same way. 'I'he check-valve II associated with said cock prevents air being drawn in on the suction stroke of the plunger and this cock is vkept open until the air or gas has all been discharged and the pump has picked up the more solid liquid for continued pumping. Thereafter the cock may be closed and any air entering the pump in its succeeding normaloperation, either by lndraft or presence in the water through leakage or otherwise, will be constantly carried and passed off through the auxiliary passage I3 to discharge into the air chamber Il. The checkvalve I5, of course, serves to prevent any back now. Thus the air chamber I4 is kept supplied Said air chamber is of' a size' withv air which is constantly being absorbed by the water under pumping operation, especially when the air and liquid are under great pressure. This continual supply of air to the air chamber, of course, maintains the volume of separated air therein suillcient to maintain an effective cushion.

Adjacent to the air chamber, a gauge tube I8 is advantageously fitted in corresponding lateral extension from the discharge passage 3 (or 3B). 'I'his tube may be secured and rigidiiied by passing through a lug I9 provided on the upper end of the air chamber and is fitted with a pressure gauge 20 onv its own upper end. This arrangement has the advantage of putting the gauge up lwhere it will be readily visible for reading, and

the air chamber will be free from any tap holes which might be the cause of air leaks should the gauge be fitted in the top of the air chamber as is usually done.

Fromv the foregoing it will be readily appreciated that the structure and organization described serves two purposes. Firstly, it keeps the pump free from air. Secondly, it keeps the air chamber charged with air to form and maintain an effective cushion, and incidentally it serves the third purpose of guarding this cushion of air against any possible escape. The air which is '.unavoidably drawn into the pump through the suction line is forcefully and eifectually expelled through the auxiliary# passage either by carriage with 4some of the water or by the pressure action of the water body thereon under action of the plunger. This air is discharged into the air chamber without/ possibility of reentering or back pressing into the pumping chamber and serves to continually supply the air cushion desired and necessary to maintain in the air chamber so as to make up for the air loss therein from absorption by the liquid fiowing through the normal discharge. 'I'he practicability of this means of eliminating the interference of such air with the pump action and the improved result obtained Y therefrom will be realized and readily appreciated by anyone versed in this art and acquainted with the diihculties met in actual vutility of such pumps.

Another problem encountered in the use of.

, it does remove by a very simple improvement 1 in the structure and organization of the pump.

The pumping plunger l'is connected not with a crank arm direct, as ordinarily, but indirectly through a guide or extension member 2I co-axial therewith. Said connection is effected in this instance by a bolt 22 extending through the plunger and having a threaded upper end engaging in said member 2| and a threaded lower e`nd engaged by a retaining nut 23 holding it clamped tightly into place. Incidentally, this affords an easy means of removal or replacement through the hand hole opening in the bottom of the pump casing closedA by the plug-capl 9, which is made largel enough to permit the plunger to be drawn therethrough. 'Ihe needlof removing, looseningv or disturbing other parts of the pump is thus eliminated, which is a very desirable advantage. The said guide member. 2I is pivotally connecten at 24 with a crank arm 25, which in turn is conventionally connected with a crank shaft 26 or other means of translating rotary into reciprocatory motion. y

Saidcrank shaft. crank arm and guide member are enclosed by Aan inverted crank case 21 in which the crank shaftjs journalled and which is itself mounted on the pump casing below. Its lower end is, of course, Walled or closed over ex- 1 cept for an opening for said guide member therethrough. This opening is fitted with a stuilngbox 28 surrounding the guide member so as to allow it to move up and down freely, but effectually seal the opening against .oil leakage. The lower portion of the crank case, constituting the sump chamber or area thereof, is formed as a cylinder 218l in which the aforementioned guide i member 2| moves. Fitting into this cylinder, the guide member has a piston portion 2|. von the upper end thereof, formed in this instance as an enlargement of the same, guided by the cylinder walls. Enough clearance is allowed between said piston portion and the surrounding cylinder to permit oil to work or pass therearound into the space below, which accordingly becomes filled, the bottom face of the piston portion being formed with a peripheral lip or downwardly extending edge 29 serving as a drip. Said guide members aforesaid pivotal connection 24 with the crank arm is very expediently effected within this piston portion in the manner of the ordinary crank arm and piston connection.

Extending upwardly from the bottom of the cylinder and aforesaid sump chamber of the casing is a side passage or channel 30, having its upper end 30 opening and directed toward the crank shaft and its throw. This passage has a one-way check or flap valve 3i therein serving to prevent any of the discharge therethrough from flowing back into the cylinder or sump space. A similar passage 32 on the opposite side of the crank case extends upwardly from the cylinder from a level somewhat above that of the first-named passage, and has its upper end 32a opening into the crank case above the corresponding opening of the first passage. Oil which has entered the cylinder space below the piston portion of the guide member is thereby forced upwardly through the first-named passage 30 upon downward movement of the member, so as to discharge a stream of the lubricant onto the crank shaft, its throw and connecting rod bearing. From these parts the oil, of course, drips down onto the top of the piston portion within the upper section of the crank case. Through the second-named passage 32, air from the top portion of the crank case will be supplied to the cylinder space below the piston portion of the guide member so as to be drawn thereinto as said member works up and down. The air so drawn into said cylinder space will be trapped between the lower ends of the passages as the guide member travels downward and this trapped air being thus compressed by the piston part of the member will literally blow the oil thereunder through the first-named passage so as to maintain a continuous jet of lubricant discharge onto the working parts above. Thus a continual circulation of lubricant is assured automatically by the operation of the pump.

Oil is supplied to the crank case through an opening in its top normally closed by a plug 33. It is filled to the level of an overflow hole 34 in one side. This overflow hole empties into the gear case 35, and fllls also the latter to a predetermined proper level which will be advanl back wall of the case drains to a trough 38', indicated in dotted lines, and this trough inclines downwardly to an opening 39 back into the crank case above the level of the aforesaid overflow opening 34. Thus the gear case is adapted and utilized to` serve as a lubricant supply reservoir keeping the oil in the crank case to a level such as to overflow continuously into the gear case through the aforesaid hole 32. It will be understood that in the-filling process, some of the oil will flow down past the piston portion of the guide member and fill or partially fill the cylinder space therebelow so that the crank case is substantially lled from the bottom to the upper level of its overflow hole and none of the oil pumped out of the cylinder space by the piston member is actually lost to reduce the working level below that of said overow hole.

In operation, the oil placed in the crank case seeps down along or past the piston portion 2W of the guide member as before stated, the clearance between said portion and the cylinder wall in effect providing a passage between the upper and lower sections of the crank case. The

amount of oil which will thus seep down aroundl so as to stream said lubricant onto the crank shaft and connected members as previously described. This action on the oil is promoted yif the space below the piston portion is only partially filled with oil, so that air is drawn freely thereinto down through the passage 32. Air so taken in will become trapptd between the piston portion and the oil level as the piston portion closes over the lower end of said passage 32, and being then compressed will act with a strong blowing action upon the oil therebelow so as to drive it with considerable force up the passage 30. Converse- 1y, on the upward stroke of the guide member a -partial vacuum will be created in the cylinder below the piston portion, tending to draw a fresh supply of air down through the passage 32 and at the same time to also draw more oil from the upper section of the crank case down into the cylinder so as to provide a fresh quantity or charge to be blown over the crank shaft as before. This action repeats continuously as the guide member is moved up and down by the crank shaft.

As the oil is thus, in operation, continuously drawn from the upper into the lower section of the crank case and expelled back vagain thereinto, thereby tending to keep the oil level uniform in the upper section, some of it simultaneously overflows through the opening 34 into the gear case 35. 'Ihere it is picked up by the rotating gear and carried around to drop into the trough 38 and thereby feed back again into the crank case, thus effectually maintaining a lubricant supply reservoir to the crank case and assuring that its level remains substantially constant. A continuous circulation of the lubricant is accordingly maintained upon al1 of the parts, so as to keep them thoroughly andadequately lubricated, the crank shaft, crank throw and bearing being supplied by the discharge jet through the passage 30, the driving gear being supplied by its rotation in a generous oil bath, and the crank arm pivot and piston portion of the guide member being constantiy'submerged in oil. Tlle flow cycle or circulation of the oil is, of course, continuous during operation of the pump and all of theworking parts .are very thoroughly and generously supplied with the lubricant. It is necessary merely to be sure that the crank case is initially filled to the proper level as will be indicated by the gauge 36 in connection with the gear case.V

It will be noticed that the stumng-box 28 of the l'illustrative construction is so constructed that therethrough and pass with it throughthe boxl so that some of it will be wiped off by the packing on the up stroke and consequentlywasted. On the other hand, if the packing is drawn. up tight enough to wipe oil.' the heavy lubricant, an unnecessary friction is set up, thereby wearing the packing excessively and consuming more of the power of the pump. It is, of course, necessary to employ a stuiling-box strong enough to withstand the oil pressure from the descending piston portion of the guidel member, but it. should not be required to stop oil' any of the oil if the best results and highest eciency of the pump are to be obtained. It is suiiicient for it merely to prevent the loss or wastage of oil through the pack- 'I'he carriage or other base upon which the entire pump unit is mounted has not been shown, but it will be understood, of course, that it is intended to'be placed on any suitable mount, either for portage or fixed operation, this constituting no particular part and being of no importance to the invention itself.

A greatly improved pump construction is thus provided. Not only is the major efficiency of this type of pump attained and assured by the provision for eliminating the collection or presence of air in the upper part of the pumping chamber which deleteriously affects the pump operation, but it also attains and assures a thorough lubrication of all the working parts by the provision for a complete and generous lubricant circulation without the necessity of any attendance. The invention accordingly produces a novel working organization and makes a distinct advance in the art.

It will be understood that this invention may be embodied in any number o1' different forms Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentiof the UnitedStates is:

1. A reciprocating liquid pump, comprising in combination, a pumping chamber having a valvecontrolled admission passage and a valve-controlled discharge passa e, a reciprocating plunger operable in said pmpin chamber, an air chamber connected with said discharge passage, an auxiliary discharge passage connected between the pumping and said air chambers from the region of the former wherein the plunger limit of retraction is situate, and means in said auxiliary passage for controlling the discharge therethrough alternatively into the air chamber or direct to thevatmosphere. l

l2. A reciprocating liquid pump, comprising in combination, a plunger cylinder and a pumping space into which the cylinder opens downwardly,

. a plunger vertically reciprocable in said cylinder,

a valve-controlled liquid inlet to said pumping space, a valve-controlled liquid discharge from said pumping space, an air chamber communicating with said liquid discharge, an auxiliary valve-controlled discharge passage between said pumping space and air chamber extending from the upper region of the former adjacent to said plunger, and means for reciprocating the l plunger from a. position thereabove.

3. Ina reciprocating pump, comprising a plunger, a pumping chamber into which the plunger is operatively projected, a valved inlet passage to and a valved main discharge passage from the pumping chamber, a secondary passage separately connected between the pumping chamber and the main discharge line therefrom behind main discharge passage and at a point behind the valve in said passage for discharging from the chamber the lighter liquids or gases otherwise accumulating therein.

5. In a reciprocating pump, including a plungi er, a pumping chamber into which the plunger operatively projects, a valved inlet passage to the chamber and a valved main discharge passage from said chamber, a secondary independent passage connected separately from the pumping chamber to the main discharge line Ybehind and at a level above the valve in said line for discharging from said chamber the lighter liquids or gases drawn thereinto, the said secondary passage extending from that section lof said chamber wherein air or gases would otherwise tend to accumulate so as to render the pump air bound.

6. In a reciprocating pump, comprising a pumping plunger and a pumping chamber into which the plunger is operatively projected, the latter having a valved inlet passage and a valved main discharge passage, a secondary discharge passage from said chamber discharging into the main discharge line behind -and above the valve in said line, said secondary passage serving for the discharge therethrough of the lighter liquids or gases drawn into the pumping chamber and .having therein means for permitting such disamaca-i charge to occur either into the main line or direct to the atmosphere.

7. In a reciprocating pump, comprising a pumping plunger and a p ping chamber, the latter'having an inlet passa e thereto and a discharge passage therefrom, a secondary discharge passage from said chamber discharging into the main discharge line through a reduced pressure area, said secondary passage serving for the discharge from said chamber of the lighter liquids or gases drawn thereinto and having means -forj .allowing such discharge either directly into said 9. In a reciprocating pump, including a plunger, a pumping chamber having an inlet passage and a main discharge passage, and an air chamber connected with'said discharge passage, a secondary discharge passage connected directp be'- tween said pumping and air chambers from a region of the former adjacent to the plunger, the said secondary passage containing means controlling its separate discharge into the air chamber and means vof preventing a reverse 'ow of the discharge therethrough. Y

l0. A reciprocating pump, comprising a plunger, a pumping chamber having a main inlet passage and a main discharge passage, an air chamber connecting with said discharge passage, and a secondary discharge passage connected between said pumping and air chambers so as to discharge from the former to the latter, said secondary discharge passage having means therein for discharging directly into the air chamber or alternatively to the atmosphere.

l1. In a reciprocating pump, including a plunger, a pumping chamber having a main inlet passage and a main discharge passage, together with an air chamber communicating with'said discharge passage, a secondary discharge passage connected between said pumping and air chambers so as to discharge from the former to the latter, said secondary discharge passage having means therein for discharging directly into the air chamber or alternatively to the atmosphere, and means of preventing a discharge-from the air chamber to the atmosphere.

12. In a reciprocating pump, comprising a plunger, a pumping chamber having an inlet passage thereto and a main discharge passage therefrom, together with an air chamber connected with said discharge passage, means separate'irom and independent of the main discharge pesage for discharging directly from thepumping chamber t said air chamber any air or gas entering into the former from the pumping action.

13. A reciprocating liquid pump, comprising in combination, a pumping chamber having a valve-v nected between the pumping chamber and said.

air chamber from 'the upper region of the former jadjacent to the plunger, and means in said auxiiliary or secondary passage for controlling the discharge therethrough either direct to the air chamber or to the atmosphere.

HERBERT E. RUPP. 

